Aerosol disseminator

ABSTRACT

An embodiment of the invention disclosed herein shows a twocompartment disseminator for generating aerosols of smoke, poisons, gases, and other lethal and non-lethal agents. One disseminator compartment houses the propellant and the other compartment houses the agent. These two compartments are coaxially disposed, and a tubular bulkhead separates these two compartments. Sonic nozzles are formed in this bulkhead. The gases generated by propellant combustion are vented through these nozzles at sonic velocity into passageways formed in the solid agent. The agent is eroded, finely atomized and vaporized by the gases and expelled through exit orifices. The vaporized agent now condenses into minute particles to form with the gas an aerosol having long-term effectiveness. Close control of agent concentrations and dissemination time is also achieved. The coaxial arrangement enables higher loading ratios of agent to propellant as compared to a tandem arrangement.

United States Patent 91 linniee et al.

[ 51 Jan.2,1973

[54] AEROSOL DISSEMINATOR [75] Inventors: Danny D. Duntee, Fairfax;Robert W. Evans, Herndon; Richard C. Grimm, Triangle, all of Va.

[73] Assignee: The Susquehanna Corporation, Fairfax County, Va.

[22] Filed: Feb. 26, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 119,280

[51] llnt. CI ..F42b 13/46 [58] Field of Search ..102/90, 87, 66, 6, 39,65

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l/l928 Bradner ..43/12911/1963 Yorketal.

3,492,944 2/1970 Reaves et al. ..102/6 3,324,794 6/1967 Gahle 102/66 X3,354,829 11/1967 Nichols ..102/90 Primary Examiner-l3enjamin A.Borchelt Assistant Examiner-41. .1. Tudor Att0rney--Jacobi, Lilling &Siege] [57] ABSTRACT An embodiment of the invention disclosed hereinshows a two-compartment disseminator for generating aerosols of smoke,poisons, gases, and other lethal and non-lethal agents. One disseminatorcompartment houses the propellant and the other compartment houses theagent. These two compartments are coaxially disposed, and a tubularbulkhead separates these two compartments. Sonic nozzles are formed inthis bulkhead. The gases generated by propellant combustion are ventedthrough these nozzles at sonic velocity into passageways formed in thesolid agent. The agent is eroded, finely atomized and vaporized by thegases and expelled through exit orifices. The vaporized agent nowcondenses into minute particles to form with the gas an aerosol havinglong-term effectiveness. Close control of agent concentrations anddissemination time is also achieved. The coaxial arrangement enableshigher loading ratios of agent to propellant as compared to a tandemarrangement.

11 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures AEROSOL DISSEMINATOR CROSS-REFERENCE TORELATED APPLICATIONS The present invention is an improvement upon theinvention disclosed and claimed in the Evans et al. patent applicationentitled: Aerosol Disseminator, filed contemporaneously with andassigned to the assignee of the present application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to animprovement in disseminators, and more particularly to a two-compartmentdisseminator useful for forming aerosols of smoke, poisons, gases, andother lethal and non-lethal agents.

In the dissemination of agents of this type, it is desirable for theagent to remain suspended in the dispersing gas for sufficient time toallow the agent to perform effectively its intended function. If theparticle size of the dispersed agent is too large, the rapid settling ofthe agent particles out of the aerosol suspension will lower theeffectiveness of the aerosol as well as reduce the effective areacoverage.

It can also be an important factor as regards agent effectiveness if theagent can be disseminated in a rapid and concentrated manner. Where theagent is directed against personnel, rapid dissemination eliminates theopportunity for individuals against whom the agent is directed to takeprotective action or to seize the disseminator and throw or launch itback in a return direction. Rapid dissemination of aerosol with longtermagent residence will also provide a relatively larger open-areacoverage.

As disclosed in the aforesaid copending Evans et al. application, it hasbeen discovered that in a two-compartment agent disseminator, theabove-described advantages can be attained if there is sonic flow of thehot combustion gases from the combustion compartment or chamber into thecompartment housing the agent. The sonic flow is directed along a pathwhich causes the gases to contact the exposed surfaces of the agent,resulting in vaporization and rapid expulsion of the agent. Thevaporized agent condenses into minute, solid particles which with thecarrier combustion gas form an aerosol.

The flow of gases at sonic velocity causes virtually all of the agent tobe vaporized. The gases cause what appears to be an erosion of themolded or tightly-pressed solid agent whereby it become liquefied andfinely atomized. The atomized particles are then vaporized by the heatof the gas and carried by this high-velocity gas out of thedisseminator. In the aerosol cloud which is formed, it is preferred thatthe condensed agent particles be predominantly of the micron-range sizewhich will result in prolonged suspension of the agent in the aerosol.This gives an improved effectiveness to the aerosol as compared withstate-of-the-art agent disseminators by providing operative agentconcentrations for an extended period of time.

The rate of erosion of the agent is proportional to the mass flow ofcombustion gases. The use of sonic flow enables high mass flow rates tobe obtained. Thus, sonic flow provides a capability for very rapidgeneration of effective agent concentrations. The combination of thisresult with the prolonged suspension of agent particles also gives anincrease in effective area coverage for the agent in open areas orincreased agent concentrations in a confined area when compared with theprior art systems.

In the past, a variety of two-compartment agent disseminators have beendesigned; but generally these do not provide an aerosol with long-termresidence of the agent particles or have a capability for high mass-flowrates to provide rapid dissemination of the agent.

For example, the US. Pat. to Bradner No. Re. 16,841 shows atwo-compartment disseminator in which the generated gases pass through alarge stack into the chamber that houses the agent and then over theagent to heat and volatize it and carry off the agent as a toxic vapor.The combustion gases are kept cool by an exchange of heat to avoiddecomposition of the agent. Dissemination of the agent according toBradner would be a relatively slow process. Furthermore, the cooling ofthe gases might lead to incomplete vaporization and a resultingundesired settling rate.

The US. Pat. to Stevenson No. 2,730,482 also shows a two-compartmentdisseminating device. The agent and propellant compartments areseparated by a screen or perforated plate through which the hotcombustion gases freely flow to contact intimately with a largefreesurface area of a loosely-packed solid agent. No provision is madefor sonic ejection of the combustion gases into the agent compartment tovaporize the agent to form upon condensation the small particle sizedesired for long residence in the aerosol. The U.S. Pat. to York et al.No. 3,109,821 discloses the use ofa two-compartment disseminating devicein which the heat transferred to the agent is closely controlled toavoid its decomposition. York et al. use a system in which the agent isfirst caused to melt and the melted agent caused to flow into an orificewhere it is aspirated by the adjacent flow of combustion gases. Thecombustion gases are stated to be a high velocity gas stream whichatomizes and vaporizes the melted agent. However, the York et al. patentfails to recognize the advantages of or even the need for sonicejection, namely, the ability to increase the residence time of theagent in the aerosol by eroding and vaporizing essentially all of thesolid agent so that it condenses to fine particles in the desiredmicron-size range, and the capability of having high mass flow rates.Furthermore, the York et al. system is, of necessity, more complex indesign and structure by having to provide the additional means formelting and causing flow of the agent.

In the US. Pat. to Spragg et al. No. 3,352,238, the propellantcompartment is separated from the agent compartment by a screen whichlimits the flame front produced by the propellant charge. The generatedgases flow through holes formed in the solid agent, the holes becominggradually enlarged as the agent is disseminated. Spragg et al. US. Pat.No. 3,352,238 states that the gases which are generated provide arelatively high velocity stream through the agent so that there is alimited heat exchange, and thereby a minimization of thermaldecomposition of the agent. However, this patent teaches that only aminor portion of the agent is actually vaporized by the hot gases, thispurportedly being an advantage of the construction and operation of thedisclosed disseminator. Spragg et al. thus also fail to recognize theadvantages to be secured by having sonic ejection of the combustiongases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION As taught in the aforesaid copending Evans etal. application, the disadvantages of the prior art can be overcome bythe use of an aerosol disseminator in which the propellant orgas-generating composition compartment is separated from the compartmenthousing the agent. One or more apertures are provided in the structureseparating the compartments. When the composition is ignited, the hotgases which are generated by the burning of the composition raise thepressure in the compartment to a level sufficient to cause sonic flowthrough the one or more apertures. The apertures are arranged to causethe sonic flow of hot gases to contact the agent so that the agent willbecome vaporized and discharged from the disseminator. The agent thencondense s as minute particles whose size is such that they remainsuspended in the carrier gas and resist settling for a period of timesufficient for the agent to be fully effective. The sonic flow of hotgases permits tailoring of the mass flow rate and burn time to provide arapid vaporization and ejection of the agent such that a voluminous,concentrated aerosol suspension is quickly formed.

The present invention improves upon the generic invention summarizedabove by disposing the agent and gas-generating compartments coaxiallywithin the disseminator housing. Again, the hot gases which aregenerated by the burning of the composition are ejected at sonicvelocities through one or more apertures into the agent compartment. Theresulting flow of hot gases through the agent compartment vaporizes thesolid agent and discharges it from the disseminator to form the desiredaerosol.

It has been found that this coaxial arrangement of the two componentsgives greater operating efficiencies and thus enables higher loadingratios of agent to gasgenerating composition as compared to adisseminator in which the two components are arranged in tandem. The hotgases are injected into the agent compartment at one end of thedisseminator and ejected from the agent compartment at the opposite endof the disseminator. The increase in efficiency is realized by the factthat the gases enjoy a longer residence time within the agentcompartment and thus can erode and vaporize a greater volume of agent asthey flow therethrough. Therefore, less propellant is needed to vaporizeany given volumeof agent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectionalview of the invention disclosed in the aforesaid Evans et al.application; I

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 3 shows the embodiments of FIG. 2 adapted to fit a conventionalmunition package.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Turning now to the drawings,FIG. 1 shows a crosssectional schematic of an embodiment of theinvention shown in the aforesaid Evans et al. application. Adisseminator is depicted having a gas generator 110 and agent 12arranged in tandem fashion within an outer casing 143. Separating theinterior of the disseminator into ,two compartments is a stationarybulkhead or plate 16 having one or more nozzle orifices 18. Each nozzleorifice is aligned with a perforation or passageway 20 formedlongitudinally in agent 12. A conventional fuse/igniter assembly 22 ispositioned at one end of the disseminator casing 14 and reposes withinthe central perforation of the gas generator 10. At the opposite end ofthe disseminator, exit orifices 24, which can be straight or canted asshown, are provided in communication with the passageways 20 of theagent. I

In the operation of the disseminator shown in FIG. I, the fuze/ignitercombination 22 is caused to ignite by impact, time delay or in any otherdesired way. The gas generator 10 becomes ignited and burns. The gasgenerator compartment functions as a combustion chamber and the gaseswhich are generated build the pressure in this chamber up to a levelwhich causes sonic flow of these gases through the nozzles 18. The sonicflow or streams of these hot combustion gases are now directed throughthe passageways 20 and vented externally of the disseminator throughexit orifices 24.

As the hot gases flow through the passageways 20, they briefly contactand erode the exposed surfaces of the agent 12. The eroded portionbecomes liquefied and finely atomized by this gas flow, and thenvaporized by the heat of gas; and the vaporized particles are carried bythe gases through exit orifices 24. The vaporized particles now condenseto minute solid particles to form with the combustion gases the desiredaerosol cloud.v

Sonic flow of the gas is critical. At this velocity, virtually all ofthe eroded agent is finely atomized and vaporized. The resulting agentparticles which condense in the aerosol have been observed, in the caseof dissemination of CS agent, to be primarily one micron in size;however, the particle size will vary based upon the type of agentemployed, its molecular weight, and other factors. As long as the sizeof the particles is within the 0.1 to 3.5 micron range, undesiredsettling of the agent out of the aerosol should be deterred, althoughthis range of sizes is not to be construed as limiting the scope of thepresent invention.

The utilization of sonic flow provides the capability to control theprecisely mass flow rates of the combustion gases and the burning timeof the gas-generating composition. The rate of agent erosion isproportional to massflow rate, and agent dissemination time is, ofcourse, essentially coincident with burning time. Thus, sonic flowpermits close control of agent concentrations and agent disseminationtime. It has been found that for many applications large mass flow ratesand short dissemination times are preferred and the gas-generating grainand sonic nozzles can be designed accordingly.

The actual design function is facilitated by the utilization of sonicflow because recourse can now be had to conventional rocket motorinternal ballistics. Such factors as nozzle sizing, burning rates, grainconfiguration and the like can be readily solved by the use ofconventional techniques and formulas for the mass flow rate andcombustion time dictated by or desired for the planned end use of theagent.

To ensure continuous sonic flow, the pressure within the combustionchamber compared to the pressure within the agent compartment must bekept at a ratio of about two-to-one or greater in accordance withstandard design practice. Care must be taken during operation that thepressure in the agent compartment does not increase to a level thatcauses pressure fluctuations in the combustion chamber and a loss ofsonic flow. To prevent this from occurring, the exit orifices 24 arepreferably sized to be at least twice the cross-sectional area of thesonic nozzles 18.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional schematic view of a preferred embodimentof the present invention. The agent 30 is disposed coaxially within thegas generator 32. These two components are maintained separated by astationary tubular member 36 which functions as a bulkhead to divide theinterior of the disseminator casing 34 into two'compartme'nt's. To thisend, tube 36 is shown as extending essentially the length of thedisseminator. At one end of the tube 36 a nozzle orifice 38 is provided.In this embodiment, the gas generator 12 is shown as a thin tubepositioned against the inner wall of casing 34 so that with the externalwall of tube 36 it forms an annular combustion chamber 40. The agent 30is shown formed with a longitudinal perforation or passageway 42extending substantially the interior length of the disseminator. Nozzle38 provides communication between this passageway 42 and combustionchamber 40. Passageway 42 terminates at exit orifice 44 formed inclosure 46 at one end of the disseminator casing 34. A conventionalfuse/igniter assembly 48 is inserted through closure 46 and reposeswithin the combustion chamber 40 adjacent to gas generator grain 32.

The operation of FIG. 2 is as described above with respect to FIG. 1.The fuse/igniter assembly 48 is caused to ignite by impact, time delay,or in any other preferred way. The gas generator 32 becomes ignited andburns to evolve gases within combustion chamber 40. The pressure in thischamber increases to a level which causes sonic flow of these gasesthrough nozzle 38. The sonic flow of these hot combustion gases is nowdirected through passageway 42 past agent 30 and vented externally ofthe disseminator through exit orifice 44.

As the hot gases flow through passageway 42,.they briefly contact anderode the exposed surface of agent 30. The eroded portion becomesliquefied and finelyatomized by this gas flow and then vaporized by theheat of the gas; and the vaporized particles are carried by the gasesout through exit orifice 44. The vaporized particles now condense tominute solid particles to form with the combustion gases the desiredaerosol cloud.

The elongated compartment housing the agent 30 can, by a comparison withFIG. 1, be seen to provide an increase in distance for the combustiongases to travel. As a result, the gases contact a greater surface areaof the agent and thus can erode and vaporize a greater volume of agentwhile in transit. The volume of required gas generator 32 can bedecreased because less mass flow of gas is now needed to vaporize theagent 30. The space that is saved by the reduction in volume of the gasgenerator can be filled with additional agent, and of course suchadditional gas generator necessary to ensure that all the agent isvaporized and ejected during operation. The end result is a higherloading ratio of agent to gas-generating composition as compared to thetandem arrangement, such as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is included to illustrate how the present invention can beadapted to fit a conventional munition package. FIG. 3 shows across-sectional view of a military cartridge consisting of a cartridgecase and pro jectile 72. The projectile has an external configuration inthe conventional form of a cylindrical body with a truncated ogive nose.The base of the projectile 72 is crimped to retain base plate 74. Thisbase plate 74 closes the base of the projectile, and has at its centeran inwardly-directed threaded boss 76.

Within the projectile 72, the gas generator 78 is here shown as disposedcoaxially within the agent 80. These two components are maintainedseparated by a stationary, substantially tubular member 82 whichfunctions as a bulkhead to divide the interior of the projectile 72 intotwo compartments. To this end, member 82 is shown as extending theinternal length of the projectile 72, being threaded at the projectilebase onto boss 76 and seated at the nose of the projectile by means of astepped boss 84 sized to fit tightly into hole 86 centrally formed inthe truncated projectile nose.

The agent is shown as formed in a generally tubular shape and positionedagainst the inner wall of the projectile 72. The inner surface 90 of theagent 80 is spaced from the outer surface 92 of member 82 such that anannular passageway 94 is formed substantially the entire internal lengthofthe projectile 72.

As stated above, tubular member 82 divides the interior of projectile 72into two compartments. One compartment 96 contains the agent 80 andannular passageway 94. The other compartment 98, which functions as thecombustion chamber during operation, includes gas generator 78 and thefuse/igniter assembly 100. Communication between the two compartments isobtained by a plurality of nozzles 102 equally spaced through tubularmember 82 adjacent to the projectile nose. As shown, these nozzles 102open into passageway 94 at its far forward end so that the combustiongases vented through these nozzles during operation will contactessentially the entire exposed surface of agent 80 from the projectilenose to its base.

The gas generator 78 is shown as being a centrally perforatedcylindrical grain inhibited on its outer surface and mounted at itsforward face against an appropriately formed shoulder 104 of member 82.The base of the grain is cushioned by annular pad 106 placed between thegrain 78 and the top of boss 76. The fuse/igniter assembly isscrew-mounted into base plate 74 and extends through boss 76 intocompartment 98 and reposes within the central perforation of grain 78.The fuse/igniter assembly 100 can be of a conventional design so that itignites grain 78 upon impact of the projectile 72, or after apredetermined time following firing of the projectile. If desired, theperforation of grain 78 can be coated with a starter mixture (not shown)to aid in its ignition by the fuse/igniter assembly 100.

A plurality of exit orifices 108 are formed in the base plate 74. Theseorifices 108 communicate with the annular passageway 94 in compartment96 and vent the hot gases and vaporized agent externally of theprojectile 72 during operation. Each orifice is closed by a seal 110bonded in place but designed to be easily ruptured or blown off by thepressure developed in compartment 96 during operation.

The aft end of projectile 72 fits tightly within cartridge case 70 to adepth determined by circular flange 114 which contacts the rim of thecase. The base of projectile 72 lies in close proximity to a centralboss 112 projecting from the bottom of the case. Cartridge case 70 has aconventional percussion primer 116 which functions to ignite propellantcharge 118. The hot combustion gases are vented through nozzles 120 andcause a rapid build-up of pressure in space 122 to launch or fireprojectile 72. If a time-delay fuze is included in the fuse/igniterassembly 100, the hot gases in space 122 contact and ignite the delaycharge (not shown) in this assembly.

Once the projectile 72 has been fired, then by either impact or after apredetermined time delay, the igniter portion of'the fuze/igniterassembly 100 will ignite the propellant 78 causing, as described abovewith respect to FIGS. 1 and 2, a rapid generation of gases withincompartment 98 and the sonic ejection thereof by nozzles 102 throughpassageway 94, thereby to erode, vaporize, and eject the agent 80through exit orifices 108 to form the desired aerosol.

Canting of exit orifice 108 serves to increase the lateral width of theaerosol cloud by ejecting the gas and vaporized agent at an angle to thelongitudinal axis of the projectile 72. The gases vented through exitorifice 108 also cause thrusting fuse/igniter skittering of projectile72 and a resulting increase in area coverage by the aerosol that isformed.

While FIG. 3 depicts one type of munition package suitable as an aerosoldisseminator, it is merely representative of munition packages which canbe used. The disseminator is equally adaptable to other types ofmunition vehicles including, as examples, rocket warheads, artilleryrounds, and prime munition vehicles. As regards the last type, thedisseminator would be classed as a submunition and could be provided inlarge numbers or clusters for dispensing over a wide target area priorto actuation.

The use of the present disseminator is not limited solely to munitions,nor must the disseminator necessarily be thrown or launched to beeffective. For example, it could by used as a stationary smoke marker orinsecticide disseminator, or positioned in a bank or other building tothwart robbers by dissemination of an incapacitating agent or the likewhen triggered. If desired, the disseminator can serve both as thevehicle and the payload by utilizing the ejected gases and vaporizedagent to launch and/or sustain the disseminator in flight. Uses for suchversatile devices are readily foreseen in crop dusting and the laying ofsmoke screens, for example.

The external configuration of the disseminator is likewise not criticalalthough only tubular embodiments have been illustrated herein. The enduse will to some extent dictate the shape ,of the disseminator packagebut rectangular, cube and even pie-shapes are readily foreseeable.Additionally, the exit orifices which vent the combustion gases andvaporized agent to the outside can be selectively positioned to attainthe desired aerosol plume pattern.

The variety of agents which can be disseminated find utility asinsecticides, rescue and marker smokes, and antipersonnel toxicants, allby way of example. It is feasible to disseminate insecticides such asDDT, TEPP and Chlordane, among others; and various dye stuffs for theproduction of smokes such as lmethylaminoanthraquinone; l,4-ditoluidinoanthraquinone, among others. It is also feasible as regardantipersonnel agents to disseminate a variety of harrassing, nauseating,incapacitating and lethal agents such as CS, tear gas, mustard gas, andDM, among others. The agent is solid and can be cast or can be formed asa tightly-pressed powder, and is shaped to fit in the space provided inthe disseminator device. The quantity of agent used will be based uponthe volume and characteristics of the gas generator so that essentiallyall of the agent will be vaporized and ejected from the disseminator.

The gas-generating compositions are preferably in a cast solid form tofacilitate their shaping and loading, but other types can obviously beused. The particular compositions selected are not critical provided thegases which are generated do not adversely affect the chemical structureor performance of the agent, or cause untenable environmental results asthe carrier gas of the aerosol. A likely source of candidatecompositions occur in the solid propellant field, the stateof-the-art ofwhich is well defined and readily available in the published literatureand issued patents.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have beenparticularly shown and described, it is apparent that variousmodifications may be made therein within the spirit and scope of theinvention, and it is to be understood, therefore, that only suchlimitations be placed on the invention as are imposed'by the prior artand set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A disseminator for generating aerosols of lethal or non-lethalagents, comprising:

a. a tubular housing with an end closure at one end thereof, said endclosure having an exit orifice therethrough',

b. a tubular bulkhead extending longitudinally within said housing andforming first and second compartments in said housing, said compartmentsbeing coaxially disposed;

c. said first compartment including:

1. a gas-generating composition;

. said second compartment including:

1. an agent,

2. at least one passageway for providing gas-flowing contact with saidagent, said passageway being in communication with said exit orifice;

e. means for igniting said gas-generating composition; and

f. at least one sonic orifice formed in said bulkhead to providecommunication between said first and second compartments for ventinggases, generated in said first compartment, at sonic velocity into saidpassageway of said second compartment to contact and cause vaporizationof the agent therein.

2. A disseminator as claimed in claim 1, wherein? a. said agent issubstantially tubular in form and is positioned in said secondcompartment which is formed external to said tubular bulkhead, saidagent having:

1. an exposed surface; and

said gas-generating composition is positioned in said first compartmentwhich is formed within said tubular bulkhead.

A disseminator as claimed in claim 2 further comprising:

. said passageway is defined as the space between the inner surface ofsaid agent and said tubular bulkhead; and

each of said sonic orifices is aligned to vent generated gases into saidpassageway.

A disseminator as claimed in claim 4 further comprising:

a plurality of exit orifices in said end closure formed in communicationwith said passageway for venting the generated gases and vaporized agentexternally of said disseminator, whereby an aerosol of said agent isformed.

. A disseminator as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

. said exit orifices are canted.

. A disseminator as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

. said gas-generating composition is substantially tubular in form andis positioned in said first compartment which is formed external to saidtubular bulkhead, said composition having:

1. an exposed surface;

. said agent is positioned in said second compartment which is formedwithin said tubular bulkhead;and

. said passageway is formed longitudinally through said agent.

. A disseminator as claimed in claim 7, wherein: said gas-generatingcomposition is positioned in said first compartment outwardly of saidtubular bulkhead and said exposed surface is the inner surface of saidgas-generating composition and;

. said exposed inner surface of said gas-generating composition and saidtubular bulkhead define a combustion chamber. A disseminator as claimedin claim 8 further comprising:

ill

a plurality of exit orifices formed in said end closure in communicationwith said passageway for venting the generated gases and vaporized agentexternally of said disseminator, whereby an aerosol of said agent isformed.

10. A disseminator for generating aerosols of lethal or non-lethalagents comprising:

a tubular housing with an end closure at one end thereof;

a stationary, tubular bulkhead extending longitudinally throughsubstantially the entire interior length of said tubular housing todivide the interior of said tubular housing into first and secondcompartments, said compartments being coaxially disposed within saidhousi n said first compartment tilnctionmg as a combustion chamber andbeing defined by the space within said tubular bulk-head, said firstcompartment including;

1. a propellant grain,

2. an igniter for said grain;

said second compartment being defined by the space between said tubularbulkhead and the inside surface of said tubular housing, said secondcompartment including:

1. a tubular solid agent positioned against the inside surface of saidtubular housing and having an exposed inner surface,

2'. a passageway defined as the space between the inner surface of saidtubular agent and the tubular member;

. a plurality of sonic nozzles formed in said tubular bulkhead, saidsonic nozzles establishing communication between said first and secondcompartments,

1. each of said nozzles being positioned to direct combustion gases,generated in said combustion chamber upon ignition and burning of saidpropellant, into said passageway at sonic velocity whereby said agent isvaporized by said combustion gases; and

. a plurality of exit orifices formed in said end closure at one end ofsaid tubular housing, said exit orifices being in communication withsaid passageway to vent the combustion gases and vaporized agentexternally of said disseminator, whereby an aerosol of said agent isformed.

11. A disseminator as claimed in claim 10, wherein:

said exit orifices are canted.

1. A disseminator for generating aerosols of lethal or nonlethal agents,comprising: a. a tubular housing with an end closure at one end thereof,said end closure having an exit orifice therethrough; b. a tubularbulkhead extending longitudinally within said housing and forming firstand second compartments in said housing, said compartments beingcoaxially disposed; c. said first compartment including:
 1. agas-generating composition; d. said second compartment including:
 1. anagent,
 2. at least one passageway for providing gas-flowing contact withsaid agent, said passageway being in communication with said exitorifice; e. means for igniting said gas-generating composition; and f.at least one sonic orifice formed in said bulkhead to providecommunication between said first and second compartments for ventinggases, generated in said first compartment, at sonic velocity into saidpassageway of said second compartment to contact and cause vaporizationof the agent therein.
 2. A disseminator as claimed in claim 1, wherein:a. said agent is substantially tubular in form and is positioned in saidsecond compartment which is formed external to said tubular bulkhead,said agent having:
 2. at least one passageway for providing gas-flowingcontact with said agent, said passageway being in communication withsaid exit orifice; e. means for igniting said gas-generatingcomposition; and f. at least one sonic orifice formed in said bulkheadto provide communication between said first and second compartments forventing gases, generated in said first compartment, at sonic velocityinto said passageway of said second compartment to contact and causevaporization of the agent therein.
 2. a passageway defined as the spacebetween the inner surface of said tubular agent and the tubular member;e. a plurality of sonic nozzles formed in said tubular bulkhead, saidsonic nozzles establishing communication between said first and secondcompartments,
 2. an igniter for said grain; d. said second compartmentbeing defined by the space between said tubular bulkhead and the insidesurface of said tubular housing, said second compartment including:
 3. Adisseminator as claimed in claim 2 further comprising: a. a plurality ofsonic orifices formed in said tubular bulkhead.
 4. A disseminator asclaimed in claim 3, wherein: a. said agent is positioned in said secondcompartment outwardly of said tubular bulkhead and said exposed surfaceis the inner surface of said agent; b. said passageway is defined as thespace between the inner surface of said agent and said tubular bulkhead;and c. each of said sonic orifices is aligned to vent generated gasesinto said passageway.
 5. A disseminator as claimed in claim 4 furthercomprising: a. a plurality of exit orifices in said end closure formedin communication with said passageway for venting the generated gasesand vaporized agent externally of said disseminator, whereby an aerosolof said agent is formed.
 6. A disseminator as claimed in claim 5,wherein: a. said exit orifices are canted.
 7. A disseminator as claimedin claim 1, wherein: a. said gas-generating composition is substantiallytubular in form and is positioned in said first compartment which isformed external to said tubular bulkhead, said composition having:
 8. Adisseminator as claimed in claim 7, wherein: a. said gas-generatingcomposition is positioned in said first compartment outwardly of saidtubular bulkhead and said exposed surface is the inner surface of saidgas-generating composition and; b. said exposed inner surface of saidgas-generating composition and said tubular bulkhead define a combustionchamber.
 9. A disseminator as claimed in claim 8 further comprising: a.a plurality of exit orifices formed in said end closure in communicationwith said passageway for venting the generated gases and vaporized agentexternally of said disseminator, whereby an aerosol of said agent isformed.
 10. A disseminator for generating aerosols of lethal ornon-lethal agents comprising: a. a tubular housing with an end closureat one end thereof; b. a stationary, tubular bulkhead extendinglongitudinally through substantially the entire interior length of saidtubular housing to divide the interior of said tubular housing intofirst and second compartments, said compartments being coaxiallydisposed within said housing; c. said first compartment functioning as acombustion chamber and being defined by the space within said tubularbulk-head, said first compartment including;
 11. A disseminator asclaimed in claim 10, wherein: a. said exit orifices are canted.